Renowned Minnesota chef Justin Sutherland arrested on suspicion of domestic assault

A popular Minnesota chef and restaurateur has been arrested on suspicion of domestic assault and making threats of violence in St. Paul.

Justin Sutherland, known for his "Taste the Culture" documentary series as well as appearances on cooking shows like “Iron Chef" and “Top Chef," was taken into custody shortly after 8 p.m. Friday night following reports of a man with a gun outside an address on the 800 block of Front Avenue.

Responding officers found that the male — who has been identified by the St. Paul Police Department as Sutherland — did not have a firearm as reported. However, they spoke to a woman and a man at the scene and "determined a domestic assault and threats of violence occurred."

Sutherland was arrested at the scene and later booked into the Ramsey County jail for felony domestic assault and felony threats of violence, Sgt. Mike Ernster told BMTN via email.

No other details about the incident have been released. An investigation is now underway.

This comes just weeks after Sutherland announced the opening of two restaurants in downtown Minneapolis: Pearl & the Thief, an award-winning seafood restaurant previously located in Stillwater, and Big E, a gourmet egg sandwich shop.

The chef also recently unveiled plans to open a restaurant in St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood later this year.

Sutherland made his name at St. Paul's Handsome Hog, which he helped launch in 2016. He parted ways with the restaurant in January.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.